Combination tool

ABSTRACT

A combination tool for opening wrecked vehicles and the like comprising a first elongated tool member having first and second ends with a bore extending thereinto from one end thereof. A second elongated tool member is selectively slidably received in the bore of the first tool member and has a tool head portion at its outer end. The tool head portion includes a pry bar means, cutting means and spike means mounted thereon. The first tool member is selectively slidably movable with respect to the second tool member to effectively extend the length of the tool to provide additional leverage for the tool head portion when the same is being used to open a wrecked vehicle. The first tool member includes a hammer head at one end thereof which may be used to strike the tool head portion when the tool members are separated to create additional impact force to the tool head portion. The first tool member may also be struck against the second tool member by slidably moving the same with respect to each other to aid the cutting means in penetrating metal materials.

United States Patent 1 Reid [45] Jan. 16, 1973 [54] COMBINATION TOOL [57] ABSTRACT 5 lflvefltol'i Ronald -R y, Iowa A-combi nation tool for opening wrecked vehicles and [73] Assignee: Auto Safety Inc Des Moines Iowa the like comprlslnga first elongated tool member havmg first and second ends with a bore extending Flledl Sept. 8, 1970 thereinto from one end thereof. A second elongated [21] APPL No: 76,655 tool member is selectively slidably received in the V bore of the first tool member and has a tool head portion at its outer end. The tool head portion includes a [1.8. CI pry bar means cutting means and Spike means [51] lllt. mounted thereon The first too] member is Selectively Fleld Search 12, slidably movable with respect to the second tool 30/359, 294 member to effectively extend the length of the tool to provide additional leverage for the tool head portion References Cited when the same is being used to open a wrecked vehicle. The first tool member includes a hammer head at UNITED STATES PATENTS one end thereof which may be used to strike the tool 3,219,316 11/1965 Fn'ed ..7/12 X head portion when the tool members are separated to 2,794,251 6/1957 Towne "7/81 R create additional impact force to the tool head por- 33331643 2/1966 Reutel'folsw 3 tion. The first tool member may also be struck against 2,285,386 6/l942 Atwood ..7/14.l R

Primary Examiner-James L. Jones, Jr.

Att0meyZarley, McKee & Thomte the second tool member by slidably moving the same with respect to each other to aid the cutting means in penetrating metal materials.

' 3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures COMBINATION TOOL Highway patrolmen and the like are frequently required to attempt to remove injured persons from wrecked vehicles. Quite frequently, the doors of the wrecked vehicle are jammed and are impossible to open in conventional fashion. Additionally, the wrecked vehicle is sometimes lying on its side or top which makes it difficult if not impossible to remove the injured persons therefrom without further injuring them.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a combination tool for opening wrecked vehicles and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination tool having means thereon for opening the doors of wrecked vehicles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination tool having a cutting means thereon which may be used to open the top of the vehicle or which may be used to open the floor board ofa vehicle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination toolhaving a chisel means provided thereon.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination tool comprised of first and second tool members which are slidably connected together, one of the tool members having a hammer head portion thereon which may be used to strike the tool head portion on the other tool member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination tool including aflrst tool member which may be slidably struck against a second tool member to enhance the operation of the tool head portion on the second tool member.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination tool which is economical to manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tool' of this invention in an assembled state.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tool of this invention. i

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tool with portions of the first tool member cut away to more fully illustrate the invention. 2

FIG. 4 is an end view of the tool as seen along lines 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the tool being used to open the vehicle roof.

I FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the tool being used to cut through the metal material of the vehicle roof.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the tool being used to open a vehicle door.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the tool being used to open a vehicle door. I

The tool of this invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and com prises tool members 1 l2 and 14 which are adapted to be telescopically con- Tool member 14 comprises a bar portion 26 having a I chisel 28 formed at one end thereof. A generally square shaped head portion'30 is welded to the other end of bar portion 26 as seen in the drawings. An arcuate horn-shaped spike means 32 is welded to one face of head portion 30 and extends therefrom in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3. A pry bar means 34 is welded at one end thereof to the outer end of head portion 30 and extends laterally therefrom as illustrated in FIG. 1.

More specifically, pry bar means 34 includes a flat portion 36 and an angularly disposed portion 38 having a sharpened tip 40 at its outer end.

A cutting means 42 is welded to head portion 30 as illustrated in FIG. 3 and includes cutting edges 44 and 46 which are angularly disposed with respect to each other. The numeral 48 refers to the juncture of the cutting edges 44 and 46 and it can be seen thatjuncture 48 is spaced from head portion 30. Cutting means 42 also includes a sharpened point portion 50 at the upper end of cutting edge 44. Head portion 30 is also provid'ed with a striking or tap area .52 adapted to be engaged by the end 20 of pipe section 16 as will be explained hereinafter. v

Preferably, the tool 10 is constructed of a high carbon steel material or the like so as to provide the maximum strength and durability to the tool. The tool can be easily stored in the trunk of a vehicle until such time as it is necessary to use the same. FlGS..5-8 illustrate various ways in which the tool can be usedto open a wrecked vehicle to remove the injured persons therefrom. FIG. 5 illustrates the tool member 14 being used to pierce the roof 56 of a vehicle 58. Bar portion door area by simply striking the hammer head'portion 24 against the flat portion 36 of the pry bar means 34. Force may then be exerted against the tool member 14 to pry open the door. FIG. 8 illustrates a further means of opening the door 60. The tip 40 of the pry bar means 34 is inserted behind the door and the necessary leverage may be applied thereto by simply slidably moving the tool member 12 outwardly with respect to the tool member 14 to achieve the necessary additional I leverage. The tip 40 of the pry bar means 34 may be driven into the area behind the door 60 by utilizing-the hammer head portion 24 on the same.

FIG. 6 illustrates a manner in which the roof of the vehicle may be opened so as to remove persons from the interior of the vehicle. An opening is initially formed in the, roof by striking the roof with the spike means 32 or by driving the point portion 50 of cutting means 42 through the metal roof. Once an opening has i been provided, the point portion 50 is inserted into the opening so that cutting edges 44 and 46 engage the metal roof of the vehicle. The person can grasp the spike means 32 with one hand as seen in FIG. 6 and grasp the hammer head portion 24 in his other hand as also seen in FIG. 6. Tool member 12 can then be slidably moved on tool member 14 in a reciprocal manner so as to cause end of tool member 12 to be driven against the strike area 52 which causes the cutting edges 44 and 46 to cut through the metal roof material. The roof of the vehicle can be opened or removed in a matter of minutes utilizing the tool as seen in FIG. 6 to facilitate the removal of persons from the vehicle through the opening cut in the roof. The cutting means 42 can also be used to cut through the floor board of the vehicle if the wrecked vehicle is resting on its roof.

Thus it can be seen that an extremely unique combination tool has been provided for opening a wrecked vehicle to facilitate the removal of injured persons therefrom. While the tool is ideally suited for such use, it is also well adapted for use by firemen or the like to open doors, etc., of a burning house. Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

lclaim:

1. A combination tool for opening wrecked vehicles and the like, comprising,

a first elongated tool member having first and second ends and a bore extending thereinto from said one end,

a second elongated tool member having a first end portion selectively slidably received in said bore of said first tool member and having a tool head portion at its other end,

said first tool member being selectively slidably moved outwardly with respect to said second tool member first end portion to extend the length of the tool to provide additional leverage for the tool head portion when the same portion is being used to open a wrecked vehicle,

said tool head portion and said one end of said first tool member having registering strike areas thereon whereby said first tool member may be slidably moved with respect to said second tool tion to cause impact forces to be transferred to said tool head portion,

a hammer head means being mounted on said other end of said first tool member, said hammer head means having an elongated shape and being transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said first tool member, said elongated shape permitting said hammer head means to also serve as a handle means, and

said tool head portion having a first flat surface provided thereon to provide a first hammer striking surface for said hammer head means when said first and second tool members are separated,

a pry bar means being mounted on said tool head portion extending laterally therefrom, said pry bar means having a tip portion at its outer end, said first hammer striking surface being disposed on said tool head portionwhereby blows delivered to said first hammer striking surface will be transmitted to said tip portion,

said first end of said second tool member having a chisel means formed at the end thereof said tool head portion having a second hammer striking surface provided thereon which is disposed with respect thereto so that blows delivered to said second hammer striking surface will be transmitted to said chisel means, and

a spike means secured to said tool head portion extending outwardly therefrom.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein a cutting means is mounted on said tool head portion and extends outwardly therefrom, said cutting means comprising first and second angularly disposed cutting edges which face away from said first end portion of said second tool member, said cutting means having a sharpened tip portion at its outer end adapted to pierce metal material to provide an initial opening for said cutting edges in said metal material, said cutting means being disposed so that the slidable striking of said first tool member on said second tool member causes said cutting edges to cut through the said metal material.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein said hammer head means is cylindrical. 

1. A combination tool for opening wrecked vehicles and the like, comprising, a first elongated tool member having first and second ends and a bore extending thereinto from said one end, a second elongated tool member having a first end portion selectively slidably received in said bore of said first tool member and having a tool head portion at its other end, said first tool member being selectively slidably moved outwardly with respect to said second tool member first end portion to extend the length of the tool to provide additional leverage for the tool head portion when the same portion is being used to open a wrecked vehicle, said tool head portion and said one end of said first tool member having registering strike areas thereon whereby said first tool member may be slidably moved with respect to said second tool member to cause said strike areas thereon to be struck against the strike area on said tool head portion to cause impact forces to be transferred to said tool head portion, a hammer head means being mounted on said other end of said first tool member, said hammer head means having an elongated shape and being transversely disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said first tool member, said elongated shape permitting said hammer head means to also serve as a handle means, and said tool head portion having a first flat surface provided thereon to provide a first hammer striking surface for said hammer head means when said first and second tool members are separated, a pry bar means being mounted on said tool head portion extending laterally therefrom, said pry bar means having a tip portion at its outer end, said first hammer striking surface being disposed on said tool head portion whereby blows delivered to said first hammer striking surface will be transmitted to said tip portion, said first end of said second tool member having a chisel means formed at the end thereof said tool head portion having a second hammer striking surface provided thereon which is disposed with respect thereto so that blows delivered to said second hammer striking surface will be transmitted to said chisel means, and a spike means secured to said tool head portion extending outwardly therefrom.
 2. The tool of claim 1 wherein a cutting means is mounted on said tool head portion and extends outwardly therefrom, said cutting means comprising first and second angularly disposed cutting edges which face away from said first end portion of said second tool member, said cutting means having a sharpened tip portion at its outer end adapted to pierce metal material to provide an initial opening for said cutting edges in said metal material, saId cutting means being disposed so that the slidable striking of said first tool member on said second tool member causes said cutting edges to cut through the said metal material.
 3. The tool of claim 1 wherein said hammer head means is cylindrical. 